Omaha daily bee., 1887-08-21

cally dissent from the conclusions
reached by Atkinson and the class Of
economists he represents. These are that
the nation is increasing in wealth at an |
enormous rate, and that this wealth has |
been and is being distributed among the |
various factors in production IN what is
SO nearly perfect system, by the mere
force of competition. that we have every
reason to congratulate ourselves
as to the result. Such conclu.
sons are derived from one.
sided consideration of the situation,
based on incomplete returns and faulty
deductions. 1t is not an evidence OF
growing wealth that we export large
quantities OF grain to be sold in the Eng
lish markets below cost, using the saw
ings of the industries Of the east to move
these products of the farmers
of the west. 1t does undoubtedly
prove that we have a great margin in
saving, but il certainly does not prove
that this is policy which in the long
run will make and keep us wealthy.
The misleading statements OF the
Atkinson school of economists regard.
ing the earnings Of labor are not the least
reprehensible part of their method
of making out their one-sided
case. Their estimates are based not on
what the laborer actuslly received, but
on what he would have received had he
worked 800 days in the year. Very little
| of the labor of the country Is employed
throughout the year. The last report of
the bureau of statistics shows that out of
the 90 chief industries enumer-
ated only 20, or less than 80 per cent
| of the whole number, kept their men
employed 300 days. In nearly every de-
partment of mechanical industry the loss
| of time, even in the most prosperous
periods, is from two to three months IN
each year. But the Atkinson phlloso-
piers ignore this very important con-
sideration when making their estimates
of the earnings of labor. and necessarily
present erroneous results. manifestly
with the design of misleading 1t
is quite in keeping with the policy of the
economists, and indeed necessary to
their purpose, that when they come to es.
innate the cost of living they reduce the
figures to point which would allow the
laborer only the barest necessaries of lie
upon the most economical basis of liv.
ing.
The testimony of statistics undoubtedly
proves that as nation we are making
progress, but It also teaches that IL we
are to continue the advance there must
be. as Professor James said, radical de-
partures from our present way of doing
things" The conditions of life are be-
coming more and more severe. The
prizes open to the successful are growing
larger, but tho number of blanks is also
rapidly increasing. There is a
great and grave social problem
pressing for solution which will
require the most careful investigation
and cautious action if it Is to be solved
without seriously disturbing our social
order. We cannot 20 on depressing
labor with taxation and permitting the
exactions of monopoly upon the indus
tries of the country without encouraging
a revolt that sooner or later will make
itself telt in demand for relief that will
not be denied. 1t is the Office of a wise
statesmanship, such as it may be hoped
the exigency will develop, to peacefully
bring about the changes necessary TO re
move existing defects IN the political and
social system, and thereby avert the diff
ficulty to which these defects are believed
to be leading and. continue the natior
. safely and surely tn the path of progress